6 Reasons for Doing Your Master’s Abroad

Have you ever wondered why so many students choose to look internationally to do their master’s abroad instead of in their own country? The benefits of completing your master's degree abroad are limitless. However, we've compiled a list of the top six reasons to help get you thinking about taking your education abroad.

1.Take Advantage of Scholarships and Financial Aid

Funding is usually one of the biggest issues for many prospective master’s students as they often already have loans from their bachelor’s degree, or may have spent four years outside of the workforce.

Many students don’t want to be dependent on their parents, nor do they want to take out more loans that they will have to repay after graduation. This ranks as one of the top reasons a lot of students do not pursue graduate studies at home or abroad. But, if you decide to do your master’s abroad, you can take advantage of the plethora of available scholarships, grants and financial aid specifically for international students.

Furthermore, there are many countries that allow graduate students to study for free or at a low cost. Take Norway, for example, which is one of the countries that offers free tuition to any student despite national origin, making it one of the most popular study abroad destinations. European students are especially lucky, as they are able to study at many more European universities for free compared to students coming from outside Europe.

2. Add Value to Your CV

By doing a master’s degree abroad, you also increase your future professional career opportunities.

Students who excel in their programs often benefit from partnerships their university or institute of higher education have with internationally renowned businesses. If you fall in love with your host country, you may even be able to secure a job to stay permanently. However, whether you decide to go back home or stay abroad and work, you will surely see the positive effects your experience has on how employer's view you and your CV.

The skills you gain from studying abroad and the exposure to a new market will differentiate your resume. Additionally, choosing to do your master’s abroad can give you access to quality internships and high ranked programs in the best universities, which have access to world-class facilities such as libraries, labs, technology etc. These experiences will look great on your CV and you’ll enjoy it when you hear back from prestigious companies looking to hire someone just like you.

3. Find New Passions

If you’ve developed a specialized interest while completing your bachelor’s, you may have considered pursuing it further through graduate studies.

However, studying abroad also has the added benefit of introducing you to subject’s you may have not have been exposed to were it not offered at your host university. National literatures, politics, languages, and history programs often vary greatly depending on geographic region.

So, explore the political system of Germany, the literature of Japan, or the art history of Italy. If you have an interest in a particular subject, turn it into a passion by studying it firsthand. Your passion will be further supported by an expert, international staff who share your desire to learn and experience new things.

4. Appreciate Home

You may not have thought about it as a benefit for studying a master’s program abroad, but taking your degree program international has the added advantage of giving you a new perspective on home.

Once you’re abroad, you will naturally miss your friends and family, but you may not realize exactly how much you actually appreciate them until there is distance between you. Although bouts of homesickness may have you missing homecooked meals and company on holidays, your new international study location will give you much needed perspective on what you love about your roots in your home country.

5. Branch Out and Try Something New

Did you do your bachelor's degree in your home country? If so, it’s time to try something new and go international to pursue your master's abroad.

Don't limit yourself! By doing your master’s abroad, you have a chance to experience a new lifestyle and broaden your horizons. You’ll learn to socialize with many international students from various countries and backgrounds, creating long-lasting friends and professional contacts. You’ll also learn to communicate better across cultural and language barriers.

If you've been looking for a way to move abroad, doing your master’s abroad can be the perfect opportunity.

6. Increase your self-confidence

At first you might have a fear of living alone in a foreign country, but prove to yourself that you’re strong and there is nothing to be afraid of.

Tell yourself that it’s only two years and it’ll end in the blink of an eye. You’ll have so much fun and you’ll get back home with lots of unforgettable memories. Doing your master’s abroad will increase your confidence because not only have you conquered your fears but you also acquired lots of knowledge and experience.

Are you ready to take your education further in a new international destination? Check out our Ultimate Study Abroad Guide to have all your study abroad questions answered!

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